Pioneer Union Elementary School District

A Learning Community Dedicated to Excellence

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Today’s students are preparing to enter a world in which colleges and businesses are demanding more than ever before. To ensure all students are ready for success after high school, the Common Core State Standards establish clear, consistent guidelines for what every student should know and be able to do in math and English language arts from kindergarten through 12th grade.

The standards were drafted by experts and teachers from across the country and are designed to ensure students are prepared for today’s entry-level careers, freshman-level college courses, and workforce training programs. The Common Core focuses on developing the critical-thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills students will need to be successful. Forty-three states, the District of Columbia, four territories, and the Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) have voluntarily adopted and are moving forward with the standards.

The new standards also provide a way for teachers to measure student progress throughout the school year and ensure that students are on the pathway to success in their academic careers.

"I Can" statements are a "kid-friendly" rewording of the Common Core standards text. "I Can" statements simply rephrase the standard text using terminology that's easier for the younger students to follow. Each "I Can" statement starts with "I Can" (hence the name!) which makes it clear to students what they're expected to know and master. Here are the links to the "I Can" statements web sites for your reference.